Wake Forest University
12-4-0, 4-3-0
University of Virginia
9-4-2, 5-1-1
Demon Deacons Drop Ranked Battle Against Virginia
10/22/2022 9:31:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Wake Forest recorded 15 shots on the night, but was unable to score in a 1-0 loss to No. 24 Virginia.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- The No. 25 ranked Wake Forest men's soccer team (12-4-0, 4-3-0 ACC) fell to No. 24 Virginia (9-4-2, 5-1-1 ACC) 1-0 on Saturday night at Klockner Stadium.
The two ranked sides went into the halftime break level at 0-0, as Wake Forest outshot Virginia 7-3 in the opening frame with the Deacs' best chance at an opening goal coming in the sixth minute as sophomore Ryan Fessler's free kick from outside the 18-yard box hit the bar.
The Cavaliers, however, scored the match's only goal in the 63rd minute to secure the victory.
Wake Forest will close out the regular season next Friday at Spry Stadium, hosting No. 11 Louisville in a match that will determine a first round bye in the ACC Tournament.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. and the contest will air nationally on ACC Network.
How It Happened
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Virginia recorded the first shot of the night in the third minute as Leo Afonso had a breakaway down the left side of the pitch, but it was saved by sophomore Trace Alphin.
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The Deacs nearly got on the board in the sixth minute, as a free kick from sophomore Ryan Fessler clanked off the post.
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Fellow sophomore Baba Niang collected a ninth-minute shot, but his attempt was off-target.
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Virginia earned a 33rd minute free kick on the right side of the 18-yard box, but the swing in from the Cavaliers did not trouble the Demon Deacons.
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Throughout the first half the Deacs dominated the time of possession and registered seven shots in the opening frame, including six in the first 30 minutes of action.
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Virginia recorded the first shot attempt in the second half, but Philip Horton's header went right of the frame.
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Niang created an opportunity for himself in the 54th minute, but Virginia's Holden Brown was able to corral the attempt.
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Virginia would strike first in the 63rd minute, as the Cavaliers found their way through the Wake Forest backline before Afonso collected what would prove to be the match's only goal.
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Wake Forest would nearly respond shortly after, though, as sophomore Roald Mitchell played a ball to junior Colin Thomas, but the strike wasn't able to find the goal.
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Alphin gobbled up a 69th-minute corner kick for his second save of the night.
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Sophomore Leo Guarino was able to get a head on an 86th-minute free kick, but his shot was saved.
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Mitchell had one final chance for the Deacs in the 90th minute, but he was unable to find the back of the net before time expired.
Demon Deacon Details of Note
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The matchup marked the sixth time in the last seven meetings where both Wake Forest and Virginia were ranked in the United Soccer Coaches poll.
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Junior Colin Thomas earned his 20th career start.
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Sophomore Baba Niang earned his 10th career start in his 20th career appearance.
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Junior Garrison Tubbs made his 50th career appearance.
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Junior Oscar Sears made his 45th career appearance.
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Redshirt sophomore Cristian Escribano made his 30th career appearance, as he has started all 16 matches so far this season.
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Freshman Samuel Jones made his 10th career appearance.
From Coach Muuss
"We battled tonight versus a good Virginia team on the road in the ACC, but battling isn't enough. If you lose focus for a minute in these types of matches and don't finish chances, opponents will make you pay and that is what happened tonight. Hats off to UVA on their performance. We now have to roll our sleeves up and get ready for another top team in our final regular season game of the season." - Bobby Muuss
Up Next
Wake Forest will conclude the 2022 regular season next Friday, hosting Louisville at Spry Stadium. Prior to the match, the Demon Deacons' senior class will be honored.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. and the match will air nationally on ACC Network.
Team Stats
Leo Afonso (6)
Assisted By: Philip Horton
GOAL by UVA Afonso, Leo Assist by Horton, Philip.
62:49
